Saint Bernard Abbey

Saint Bernard Abbey. I-65 exit 308, then drive east, through town, on US Hwy 278 for 3.5 miles. Turn right at St. Bernard Drive SE onto the Abbey grounds. Drive a half-mile. You'll see the Grotto entrance building on the right.

The grotto and its miniature buildings are sheltered on the side of a hill. Ongoing care and maintenance keeps everything tidy, just as Brother Joseph might have done

Ave Maria Grotto

As great at the Grotto is -- and it IS fantastic -- it's not all you get. There's a beautiful little chapel with an adjoining churchyard where all the brothers are buried. And there's a very special tour guide through the Grotto: an adorable calico cat named Calie. She follows you through and leads you back to the gift shop at the end. Seriously. This place is so worth the visit!

[Karen H., 01/29/2013]

Ave Maria Grotto

The Grotto now opens at 9 am, so don't rush to get here early. While here, be sure to visit the Abbey cemetery. There are graves going back to the very early 1900s.